The Methuen Exchange Club thanks the sea of hungry patrons who turned out for their 19th annual Original Taste of Methuen. The club’s biggest annual fund-raiser, where hundreds of guests sample the mouth-watering offerings of local food establishments, was another huge success.
Even with an unpreventable last-minute venue change to the Lawrence Elks Lodge, The Taste was again a sell-out.
Club member Jack MacLeod happily said, “We sold all 340 tickets. … This event is all about the kids, the backpack program at St. Ann’s Home, Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley, food baskets for the needy as well as scholarships.”
Sixteen Methuen restaurants participated with samples of some of their favorite dishes. Fireside Restaurant and Pub served up pasta, George’s Bakery and Kerry’s Kitchen each had their own take on grape leaves, Harrow’s prepared delicious samples of their chicken pies, Casa Blanca and Mi Mexico Lindo both prepared delightful Mexican fare. JayGee’s Ice Cream offered up sundaes with all the toppings, while Jersey Mike’s handed out various samples of their sandwiches.
Culinary Arts instructor Scott Stewart, from the Greater Lawrence Technical School, proudly said, “The Seafood Chowder was made by all my sophomore students. Delicious enough to serve in their Four Winds Restaurant.”
Other participating restaurants included Borrelli’s Italian Deli, Heavn’ly Donuts, the Irish Cottage, Lenzi’s, Mann Orchards, Muddy Waters and Royal House of Roast Beef.
Exchange Club Treasurer Linda Buell said, “I’m having the best time ever!”
Member Kathy Jones added, “Having so much fun!”
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- The Willette family – mom Briana, dad Billy and their children Rylee, 8; Aubree, 5; and Brayden, 2 – enjoyed their first Taste of Methuen. Briana said, “We’re so happy we came! It’s a really good time and we are having so much fun.” MethuenLife photos by Nancy Reardon
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- Mike Fluet and wife Diane were joined by their daughter Abbey and her boyfriend Travis Bellemore. Some of their favorite Taste of Methuen dishes included Lenzi’s Turkey Croquettes, the Fireside Mac and Cheese and Harrow’s Chicken Pie.
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- Fireside owner Tom Swerchesky (center, flanked by niece Suzy Bean and son Derek) served up pasta to the massive crowd. It’s been well publicized that he’d like to sell the restaurant and retire. He said, “I can’t thank everyone enough for 69 beautiful years doing business in Methuen; 51 years for myself and (sister) Pauline.”
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- Making their Taste of Methuen debut are (from left) friends Judy Volpicelli, Lil Mercier, Evelyn Aloupis, Carolyn Farnan, Judy Donahue and Leeann Mihi. Donahue said, “We are having a lot of fun, and the food was wonderful.”
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- Brian Griffin saved room for dessert, a delicious ice cream sundae from Jay Gee’s, served up by Kaitlyn Tierney and Kat Morse. Griffin said, “I’m having a blast!”
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- Kelsey Ballard and AJ Zayas, 8, were hoping to win one of many raffle items. When asked about the evening’s food, AJ said, “It was pretty good, but my favorite of the night was the ice cream!”
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- The big winners of the night won a total of four baskets with some great items. Chuck Norris Jr., (left) won a cooler filled with fun beach supplies and snacks. Also winning baskets were Lindsey Ballard, Jake Dyer, Joanne Norris, Chuck Norris Sr., and (standing) Cody Flint.
